I’m looking forward to a great season as well. But let’s not re-interpret history. 2015 WAS a competitive season for the Cadets. The “10” program was very competitive, if a bit flawed. I could be wrong - but I think the Cadets beat every other top corps that year at one time or another. The thrill that year was that the top 4 were shifting right up to a couple of weeks before the finals. Yeah... I’d take that in heartbeat. But I’d be really happy with a strong top 6 finish. The field will be much more competitive this year, I suspect.

+1! From the little I've seen and heard of the program material, there seems to be lots of potential. Hearing that there are a good number of returns and that some of the key staff have been retained gives reason for optimism. I think it is sometimes easier for me because I follow the Cadets from a safe distance. I donate generously and consistently. Because of my life commitments, I don't do any of the hands-on stuff or attend social things. So I don't get hooked on the personalities and inside decisions. I also never marched (beyond a bad HS band 100 years ago). For me, I think YEA does a much better than average job of educating the kids and providing an amazing life experience (with all of life's imperfections). I also agree with many of the criticisms that others have expressed. But on balance, they've been my kind of corps and I tend to be glad that I take (small) part in their activities.
Looking forward to 2018's program!

I actually came to like the choral work once they got the balance right. However, when it comes to narration, there are very few situations where I think it adds to the artistic impact of the show. I think narration is like habanero peppers in that a little bit goes a very long way. But I think the choral work added a lot to the effect of Mass this year. There is a lot that can be done with live choral groups if treated like a harmonic section (akin to the score for brass). While I thought that Crown's vocalist was nearly Broadway quality this year, there are examples (too numerous to mention) from other groups over the years where the vocalists detracted from the ensemble performances. Just my $.02.

Crown - harnesses the power of the brass in a more traditional show - able to capture the emotion of 2015 and takes gold
BD - works their magic again but gets edged by Crown
Bloo - bounces back and introduces another new wrinkle to the activity - experiments with lighting as an effect
SCV - has a brilliant show returning to intense, brooding and dark Russian orchestral music
Cadets - retains creative staff and develops a more competitively relevant show based on another Bernstein score
Boston - has great year attracting even more MM talent but can't best the "magic" of Wicked Games design
Cavaliers - has another "Game On" kind of theme but hangs tough due to incredible talent of MMs
BK - fantastic brass score from Bocook is hampered by an obtuse show design
Phantom - continues to build a theme into their program, delivers a lovely show but crowded out by performances in the upper tier
Crossmen - solid and entertaining show. Can't find the formula to break into the top 6
Academy - delivers an endearing show based on the You've Got Mail soundtrack that evokes a lump in the throat and propels them back into Finals
Bluestars - lush, big music program on top of a solid but unremarkable visual design
Madison - still searching for their identity and struggles with attracting and retaining talent in all areas of the organization
Mandarins - has trouble breaking the top 12 due to financial constraints and trouble attracting MM talent against west coast powerhouse corps
Colts - still working hard and providing accessible entertainment

I think you guys are losing your minds. Doing a southern tour in 100 degree weather with high humidity and rehearsing in the sun for 12 to 14 hrs a day is tough enough. If you are familiar with how elite athletes train - whether it be riders on the Tour de France or professional boxers - you'll know that overtraining is as harmful to performance as not being prepared. Adding unsanitary conditions of not having clean undergarments in these circumstances (especially given the close quarters of the MMs) can't possibly improve the physical and mental state of the performers. Implying that the performance would benefit from the MMs suffering through it and showing up with filthy clothes to the finals is just wrong-headed. At a certain point, discomfort is just discomfort and doesn't build character or add anything positive to the show or the personal development of the kids. I trust the staff to know how hard to push and when to ease off.

Of course I know very little about judging. But I remember a similar thing happened with The Bridgemen in the 80's during their decline. Possibly it was 1983? They came in 11th in the finals but took top percussion. That clearly can't happen any more. I don't know if it is slotting as much as the change in the hierarchy of values in the eyes of the judges and how it's changed in the 35 years since. It could be that the shift from a more objective and narrowly focused "tic" scoring system to a more subjective GE-centered judging system makes it harder to excel in only one area because GE connects everything to everything else. So even if you have tremendous brass or percussion program, if the general effect is not elevated due to other factors in the show, that section does not get the scores it could otherwise.

Went by Franklin field today to see a little of the rehearsal. There is absolutely no parking in that part of the city! Watched the color guard and pit section working. Some folks adding purple reflectors to the stained glass panels. Saw the nice new food truck!
Was also at the Chester show. Absolutely LOVE the new ending. I've not gotten chills and goose bumps like this from a DCI performance in recent memory. The last minute just keeps coming at you. Amazing!

Getting ready to fly out of Providence to see the Chester and Allentown shows. Couldn't be more excited! Weather looks good and the competition is heating up. They will be my first live events of the season and I'm chomping at the bit after all of that mediocre coverage on Flo.
Love Talon Stadium and can't wait to get a hot dog at Yocco's!

I'd heard that the difference between a baritone and a euphonium the diameter and taper of the conical bore. But what is the difference in the sound? And how can you tell which is which at a glance? Someone needs to manufacture a marching version of the double bell euphoniums from the past!

I think it's all about balance. And that's subjective. I remember the little "Curtain Call" that The Cadets did at the end of the '87 show. The crowd went so nuts that there was no way to hear the soloist. A mic would have fixed that. There's a time and place. IMO, amplification is like hot pepper, a little can wake up a dish. Even a lot for a short bit can be good. But too much and everything gets over shadowed. I think the activity is still figuring out how much is enough.

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